'Construction will be unaffected and remain wide open,' says the Council of Ontario Construction Associations in an email to its members.

The total permit value of $26.4 million is about $10 million higher than the value of permits issued in February of this year, but still off the pace set a year ago.

Originally announced in 2017, the project calls for the development of a 325-bed, multi-purpose correctional facility. The new facility will replace Thunder Bay's existing jail and correctional centre and improve access to programming, living conditions and education.

A recent report prepared for the Canadian Automobile Association finds that poor road conditions costs drivers billions annually. It recommends government be more proactive in repairing even good roads before they deteriorate.

Premier Doug Ford is expected to make the announcement at a news conference this afternoon. Sources say the order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning and last for four weeks.